Bat Wings Are for DC Comics

July 30, 2018

Significant weight gain or weight loss, or simply the relentless march of time, can create loose skin on the upper arms. This results in unsightly, inelastic flabby areas on the bottom of both upper arms, sometimes referred to as “bat wings.”

While Michigan summer sunsets are usually accompanied by a bat fly-by, you won’t want your arms to look like you were one of the night flyers.

The Elite Plastic Surgery team can address this problem with a plastic surgery procedure called brachioplasty, commonly known as an arm lift. This procedure removes excess skin and fat in the upper arms.

If a person is overweight, there is a perception that simply losing weight will firm up the upper arms. Actually, this can make the problem worse because there is nothing to fill out the loose skin. The same is true of performing only liposuction on the upper arm area.

An arm lift, sometimes done in conjunction with liposuction, is the path recommended path by Drs. Armstrong, Cullen, and Martin.

How is an arm lift done?

In an arm lift, an incision is made either on the inside or on the back of the arm near the elbow. The length and pattern of the incision, which could extend all the way up to the underarm, will depend on the amount and location of the excess skin present. Fat deposits in the area may be removed through excision or liposuction. Once the fat has been removed, the supportive tissues in the arm are tightened and contoured using internal sutures. The skin is then re-draped and smoothed to conform to the new tighter contour.

What results can I expect?

There will be bruising and swelling, but your new firmer upper arms will be noticeable immediately after the procedure. We have our arm lift patients wear a compression sleeve on the area to help it adapt to its new, tighter contour. There will also be some scarring.

An arm lift can bring long-lasting results, especially when the patient maintains a stable weight and exercises regularly. However, the firmness of the arms may still be affected by the natural effects of aging.